TOURING THE COUNTRY WITH A SHOWROOM.
Page 11
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A Well-equipped Van Built to Meet the Requirements of a Well-known Company of Confectioners.
THE MOTOR showroom is now an established form-of propaganda and many are its merits for bringing the wholesaler into closer and more definite touch with the retailer or consumer. More than this, however, it is often a time and money saver and enables certain duties which could not be accomplished with anything like the same facility by other means to be efficiently and economically executed. First, therefore, it is a utility vehicle and, secondly, a valuable publicity medium.
These are factors of which a number of concerns who distribute their products over a wide area have shown tangible recognition, and one of the latest to exploit the value of the motor showroom is'James Pascall, Ltd., the well-known manufacturing confectioners, who have just commissioned for service" the Fiat vehicle illustrated • on this page.
The chassis is a standard product and it is, accordingly, with the special body that we are chiefly concerned. This was constructed by Glover and Webb, Ltd., of Westminster Bridge Road, London, S.E.1, to the order of the users, and its general exterior appearance follows the lines of the ordinary van body except that it has a clerestory roof which extends well over the driver's eat.
The interior equipment is most replete and consists of a series a drawers running the length of each side, two divided tiers disposed above them and a wide desk backing on to the driver's partition. Above the drawers and in the space that separates them from the lower shelves hinged glass covers are fitted. The two shelves on each side serve to accommodate bottles of boiled sweets, of which 60 in all are carried.
To prevent vibration and avoid the risk of breakage each bottle is independently,held by a strong clamp, attached to the back of the showcases, which firmly grasps its neck. Other goods are displayed in the spaces protected by the glass covers, whilst cartons of chocolate and the like are arranged in the drawers, these being of varying depths.
The whole of the showroom proper is constructed on shopfitting Tines and is carried out in mahogany, which gives it a distinctive appearance. The space above the desk at the front end of the body is fitted with a large bevelled-edge mirror, which not only assists to give light to the interior, but, by reflecting the contents of it, adds to the effect of the display.
The clerestory roof, with its many side windows, provides adequate top. light, and further natural light is obtained through two rectangular windows in the wide rear doors, which open almost to the full width of the rear. Electric light fittings of ornate design are disposed at the front and rear of the body. As the windows are hinged and the rear end of the clerestory portion of the roof is provided with louvres, ample ventilation is given to the interior—an important consideration and one that ensures that the goods are maintained in good condition.
It is possible to communicate with the driver through an oval opening above the desk. No expense has been spared in the equipment of the interior in order to obtain the desired end, and some idea of its construction and finish can be obtained from the fact that the body and fittings cost approximately £650.
The company intend to use the vehicle for touring the whole country, and, at the time of our inspection of it, the van was about to set out on a prearranged tour of the south-east counties. One of the chief merits of a motor showroom of this type is that it enables a much wider range of goods to be shown at one time to the retailer than is possible with the ordinary travellers' samples ear, although only a relatively small number of the vast selection of Messrs. Pascall's confections can be displayed.
The exterior of the van is most tastefully finished and is certain to compel much attention, from which Messrs. Pascall, whose name is boldly emblazoned on the side panels, should derive considerable immediate and accrued benefit.